Improved heel-press



4 Sheets-Sheet l. H. H. BIGELOW.

HEEL PRESS. No. 105,030. Paten't'edJuly, 1870.

171 III Il rm: Naam: 51ans co, morauwa., wAsHINGoN, u. c

4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. H'. BIGELOW.Y

HEEL PRESS.

Patented July 5, 1870.

Tu: Nonms- PETERS co. anormumo.. wAsHmcTonnn. c..

4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. H. BIGELOW.

HEEL PRESS.

Patented July 5, 1870.

u: Nonms PETERS co. PHoruLlTHo., WASHINGTON. nA C.

4 sheets-sheet 4.

H. H. BIGELOW.y

HEEL PRESS.

Patented July 5 1870.

dilated (Staten @wat @infine HORACEv H. BIGELOW, OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS.

Letters Patent No. 105,030, dated July 5, 1870.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HORACE H. BrGnLow, of the city and county of Worcester, and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel-Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 represents a front view of my improved heel-press Figure 2 represents a side view of the same;

Figure 3 represents a plan view ofthe same;

Figure 4 represents a plan view of the die-cylinder and dies;

Figure 5 represents a vertical section through the dies and cylinder on lines A B, iig. 3;

Figure 6 represents a rear view of the stop device;

Figure 7 represents a front view of t-he operating eccentric and itsconnections with the plunger;

Figure 8 represents a bottom view of one of the heel-dies; l

Figure Q'represents a central vertical section of one of the heel-dies, on line C D, iig. S;

Figure 10 represents a central vertical section of the discharging-punch;

.Figui'e 11 represents a side view ofthe nail-bolder;

Figui'e 12 represents Ia plan view of the nail-holder, showing the manner in which it is placed upon the die; and

Figure 13 represents a plan view of one of the follower blocks.

My invention relates tn certain improvements in machines for pressing and forming heels for boots and shoes, and for other purposes, as will be hereafter explained.

In the drawing, the part marked A isy the bed or table ofthe machine, which is supported at a proper height upon legs A1, and is provided with a strengthening flange, a, along its lower side, while from its upper side projects an upright'frame, A2, for sup# porting the stamping-plunger B and eccentric drivingshaft C. Upon the table A, at its forward end, and underneath the stamp B, is arranged, in a horizontal position, a revolving cylinder, D, which carriesthe forming-dies E E1 E2 E3, said-dies being disposed in the cylinder D, as indicated in igs.i 3,4, and 5.

The cylinder .D is secured to the table A yby means of a vertical pintle-bolt, G, which passes throughthe center of the cylinder D, and screws .into the table in such a vmanner that the cylinder is permitted to revolve freely around the pintle, but is allowed no vertical motion.

The dies E E Il2 E3 are nicely tted into recesses vthe matrix.

formed in the upper part of the cylinder I), where they are held secnrelyt'rom all lateral motion, but

may be moved-vertically up and down by any pressure applied to them from below or above.'

Openings are for'med through the bottom of the cylinder l), directly beneath the centers of kthe dies; these openings are, of such a form and` size as will permit the passage of the heel-blanks O, and follower-blocks F, which latter are made in the shape of a heel, and of suitable sizes to fit the interior of the forming-dics.

The dies E, for forming the heels, are made" asl shown in iig. 8, the matrix being of the form which is required to give the finished heel.

A head-plate, c, is arranged in the upper part of the matrix forforcing--the pressed heel from the die. Said plate c is secured upon the lower end of a sleeve, b, which extends up through an opening in the top ol' the die, andupon which the discharging-punclrH strikes to depress the plate c.

A small flange is formed around the upper end of the sleeve b, which, in connection with a similar flange formed around the lower part of the opening in the die, prevents' the plate c from dropping out ot' In the center ofthev sleeve b is hung a discharging pin, e, which is made somewhat longer than the sleeve I), an'd is furnished with suitable flanges, which pre- -vent it fron) dropping entirely out of the sleeve, or

being displaced during its upward motion, while it is permitted to work freely up and down, so that it will project at either the upper or. lower end, as required.

The object of the pin e is to release the heels from the head-plate c, after the latter has loosened them from the die, the press.l l

The discharging-pin c is actuated by means of a spring center, f, in the discharging punch H.

The tops of thedies and theirhead-plates are pierced with small vertical openings 2, through which the awls h and drivers g descend, and into which the nails for securing the heels are inserted.

In the present instance'there are only five ot' these openings represented in each die, but any number. may be formed therein, as'desired, sothat all the nailsrequired in a heel can be driven at a single loperation.

The head i of the pintle bolt G is auged at one side, and projects over the edge of the dies E2 E, sol as to prevent their lacing 'drawn up by the awlsv h'or -drivers'g as they ascend.

The stamp B* consists of a flat plate, which is cast upon the lower end of the plunger B, and is made large enough to nearly cover allot' the dies. Recessc's are formed in its lower side to receive the head i thereby insuring their discharge from end is arranged to strike upon of the pintle-bolt G and piiis c, as the stamp descends, so that its under surface can come down squarelyY upon the top of the cylinder D.

Recesses are also formed in the stamp Bl, above the dies E2 aud'E, into which are fitted and secured the plates 3, that hold the awls h and nail-drivers g,

the former being arranged above die E2, and the latter above die E, in such a manner that they will descendV into the openings 2, with'fthe motion of the stamp Bl, while above the center of the die E is ar- -ranged the discharging-punch H, which descends upon the top of the pin c and sleeve l), and above the die El. The bottom of the stamp is made level, so that, in descending, it will strike squarely upon the whole top surface of said die, for thc purpose of pressing the heel into proper form, aswill be hereafter explained.

The plunger B, which carries the stamp B, is supported in a vertical position by suitable ways on the iiont of the upright fia-me A2, to which itis held by the faceplate I, secured to the upright frame A2 at each side, by screws or bolts, as shown the drawing.

The central 'part of the plunger B is recessed ont to allow snfiieient space for the eccentric J and rockbar J l, by means of which the spring B is operated.

The rock-bar J l has a bearing at its upper end upon the eccentric J, while its lower end, which is properly curved, restsvnpon a horizontal base, B2, at the lowest part of the plunger B, and being closely fitted to the recess at its sides, it rocks back and forth with the action of the eccentric, thereby transmitting a very steady and powerful movement to the stamp Bl.

The bearing above the .eccentric is formed by a pillow-block, J2, inserted between the eccentric J and the top plate B3 of the plunger B, as shown in figs. 1 and 7 of thc drawing.

The shaft G is operated by means of a gear, K, and pinion L, in connection with the stopping devices shown in figs. 3 and 6.

The pinion L is fixed upon the main shaft L, which shaft is arranged parallel to and beneath the shaft C. It is supported A2 and table A, and it is provided with a heavy balance-wheel, N, for eqnalizing its motion.

The motive power is to be applied to the main shaft L, by means of any suitable arrangementof belts or gears, which it is not necessary to herein illustrate.

The gear K, which meshes with the pinion L, is hung loosely upon the shaft C, and has secure'd firmly to 'one of its sides a ratchet-wheel, K, the teeth of which incline forward in tlie direction of its motion, as indicated in jig. (i.

Keyed to the end of the shaft C, outside of the ratchet-wheel K, there is an arm, O, through the outer end of which isarranged, in a direction parallel with the axis of shaft G, a small spindle, which has secured to one of its ends a ratchet-dog, P, that engages with the ratchet-wheel K1, and at its other end a trip-lever, P', by means of which the ratchet-dog P is operated.

A spring, Q, is secured to one side of the arm O, which presses upon the trip-lever P', and tends to throw the dogP into clutch with the teeth of the ratchet-wheel Kl. I

The dog P is thrown ont of clutch with the ratchet K1 by the action of a stop-finger, E, upon the triplever P.

One end of the stop-finger R is pivoted to the side of the arm 0, as indicated in fig. 6, while its other the top of thc swinging stud S, which is hinged to and projects upward from the bed or table A. v

The finger R is provided with a projection, lr, thatrests against the trip-lever P', and presses it upward,

A, as shown at S1, and is swung in bearings M on the upright frame when the nger R strikes the stud S, thereby throwing out the dog P.

\Vhen the pressure is removed from the finger 1t the trip-lever P' and nger are pressed down by the spring Q.

A guard-pin, lc, is arranged beneath the finger R to prevent it from swinging too far downward.

The swing-stud 4Sis hinged upon the bed or table back and forth by the bell-crank lever Si, one end of which is rigidly secured to the side of the stud S, while its other end is connected, by means of -a rod, m, to the rear end of a treadle, T, which latter is fulcrnmed near its center to a hanging support, l, beneath the table A, and is provided at its front end with a foot-pad, T, upon which the operator places his foot when he desires to set the plunger B in motion.

A spring, T2, is attached to the trcadle-lever T, to raise its forward end when the pressure of the foot is removed.

An opening of sufficient size to allow the passage of the follower-blocks F is formed through the table A, directly beneath the die E, as indicated in dotted lines in fig. 3, under which is arranged a feeding device, by means of which the heels are transferred to and from the dies.

This device consists of a vertical elevating spindle, U, having at its upper end a circulardisk, n, for supporting the follower-blocks F during the operation of changing the heels.

The spindle U slides up and down in bearings t t', it being raised and depressed by the hand-lever V, the rear end of which is pivoted beneath the table A, and itsfront end provided with a suitable handle, V'.

A slide, 4, is arranged upon the spindle U, wherein are secured the lower ends of a pair of stay-pins, 5, which pass up through t-he bearing t and disk a into holes 6, formed in the lower side of' the followerblocks F, and thereby retain said blocks in position upon the disk u.

The slide 4 is drawn upward by a spring, 7, one end olf lvvhich is secured to the slide, andthe other to the Lis n.

The arrangement of the slide 4 is such that, when the spindle U is elevated to pass the heel and follower into the die, the slide 4 strikes the bearing t, and thereby withdraws the ends of the pins 5 from the holes 6 in the follower-block F, thereby releasing it from the disk n, so that it may .be carried forward with the die as the cylinder D is revolved.

At the left of the elevating spindle U, aud secured to one of the supporting standards A1, is the receiving table \V, and entering slide W, by lmeans of which the heel-blanks are carriedto the elevating device.

A dovetailed groove, w, is formed across the top of the table \V, in which the entering slide XV moves back and forth said slide is provided with a fork, 72, for holding the heel-blank in the proper position, and with a knob or handle, fv, by means of which it is moved back and forth along the groove w. 4

A stud, fr', is set in the top of the table WV, which the fork W2 strikes, and prevent-s the slide \Vl from being drawn too far back.

The table V may be adjusted up or down, and it is set so that its-top surface will be slightly above the top surface of the follower-blockl uponthc disk n.

A gar-screw, x, is arranged through' the flange a opposit he slide \V, against which the heel-blanks are stopped; said screw can be moved in or out to accommodate the different sizes of heels.

A vertical groove, 8, is formed in the side of cach follower-block F, to allow them to pass the end of the screw x.

cneath the die El is arranged a device for relieving the machine from injurious concussion while-pressing the heels into form. It consists of a movable metallic bed-piece, Y, somewhat larger than the bottom ofthe follower-blocks F, setinto thetable A, as indicated in g. 5.

A spring, Y1, of rubber or some other suitable material, is arranged beneath, and supports the bed-piece Y, which latter is held by screws y in such amanner that its upper surface will not rise above the upper surface of the table A, while it can at any time be depressed by any extra amount of pressure above that required in forming the heels.

The bed-piece Y and spring Y1 are inclosed by a cylinder, Y2, cast upon the under side of the table, and through the .bottom of said cylinder is arranged an adjusting-screw, Y, by means otfwhich the spring Yx ca n-be adjusted to withstand any desired amount of pressure.

A guard-plate, z, is inserted between the spring Y1 and screw Y3, as indicated.

The devices for revolving the die-cylinder D consists of a latch-dog, D1, provided with a handle, 9, and pivoted near its center to the lower side ot' acurved bar, D2, which latter is secured to the cylinderD by means of a metallic band, D.

The baud D3 is fitted i'nto a groove formed around the upper part ofthe cylinder D, in such a manner that the curved bar D2 and latch-dog D1 can, by pressing upon the handle 9, be moved freely around to the right wit-hout moving the cylinder D, but by pressingr the handle 9 tothe left, the point of the dog D1 catches into one ofthe notches 10 formed in the periphery of cylinder D, whereby said cylinder is caused to revolve, carrying forward the dies. The number of notches iu the periphery of the cylinder corresponds with the number of dies, of `which, in the present instance, there are four, but the machine may be constrncted with a greater or lesser number of dies, if desired.

The revolving device is arranged in such a manner vthat it will advance the cylinder D by one-quarter revolution at each full sweep, to the left of the handle 9.

An elastic pad or stop-lug, 11, is secured to the upright frame A2, against which the end of the curved bar DI2 strikes when the dies are in proper position, and thereby stops any further motion of the cylinder, 11ntil`.tl1e handle 9 arid dog Dl have been swung to theA right, and the hold of the latter is renewed.

At the right of the cylinder D, pivoted upon a projecting portion of the table A, is a stop-dog, 12, for holding the cylinder and dies in position during lthe descent of the stamp Bl.

A guard-level', Z, which acts in connection with the stop-dog 12, is fulcrumed near its center to the table A, as indicated in figs. 2 and 3.

The forward end ot"lever Z works on a pin fixed in the head of the stop-dog 12, while its rear end is passed under a loop, Z, and furnished wit-l1 a small, disk, 13, as shown.

A spring, Z2, secured to the table A, presses against the forward end of the lever Z, and tends to throw the head of the stop-dog 12 out fromthe notch 10 in the side of the cylinder D, and an inclined lug is fixed to the under side of the curved bar D2, which `runs under the shank of stop-dog 12, when the bar D2 is swung hard up to the right, (see dotted lines, fig. 3,) and thereby forces the head of dog I2 into the notch 10 to hold the cylinder in position; the same operation also swings the rear end of lever Z outward from above the spur 14 ou the end of lever S2, so'that said lever ca n be raised by means of the treadle T.

' By the use of the lever Z, in connection with the dog 12, any accident which might happen from the dies becoming misplaced, or the premature starting of the plunger, is prevented, as it is impossible to swing back the stud S and let the ratchet-dog P into gear with .will project from the top of the cylinder` D.

' the wheel K2, excepting when the head of dog 12 is in one ot' the notches l10, atwhich time the diesare of necessity in proper position. And` again, if the ,dog 12 is but partially entered in the notch 10, when the treadle '1 is operated, the spur 14 will force the rear end of lever Z outward, and thereby press the head of the dog 12 properly into they notch 10.

A guard, 15is attached to thc front of the machine above the cylinder D, to prevent the die from receiving more than one heel at a time. The guard 15 is adjusted at a short distance, above the cylinder, and should a. second heel accidentally be placed in the die before the first is .discharged therefrom, or a heel become misplaced while entering the die, the top of the dieE will be raised so high that it will strike the guard 15, and prevent the revolution of the cylinder, until thejcause of difficulty is removed.

The nails to be driven into the heels are fed into the machine by means of a nail-holder, such as represented in gs 11 and l2 of the drawing.

It consists of a head-block, 16, pierced with l-holes to correspond with the holes 2 in the dies. The block 16 is of sufficient thickness to support the nails in an upright position, and it is piv ted through its center to a thin bottom plate, 17,' al o pierced with holes in a like manner.

At one side, the bottom plate is extended outward to form the handle 18, and a spring, 19, is arranged tliereomwhich throws the plate 17 to oneside, so that ythe holes in the plate 17 and head-block 16 will be out of line with eachother.

Arms 20 are formed on the head-block 16, in the ends of which are formed depressions, which fit onto the studs 1 set in the top of the dies.

The nails 21 are setinto the holes in the head-block 16, as shown in fig.'11; the holder is then placed upon the top of thedie E? in the manner shown in fig. 12, the depressions in arni 20 fitting lthe studs 1, which brings the holes in the head 16 directly overtheholes in the die.

The operator then swings the handle 18 to one side, to the position indicated by dotted lines, ig..12, which brings the holes in the bottom plate, 17, in line with the heles in the head-block, 16, thus allowing the nails, 21, to drop through into the holes, 2, ofthe die, so that the drivers, g, force them into the heels as the stamp descends.

The operation of forming the heels is as follows:

The pieces of which the heels are composed are tacked together, and secured to each other sufcientl y to hold them in place. One of the blanks thus formed is placed upon the receiving-table 1V, in ti'ont of the fork W2, and the operator, taking hold of the handle V, runs inthe slide W1 Auntil the heel strikes the end of the screw x, when he draws ont the slide, leaving the heel upon the fbllower-block F. The elevating spindle U is then raised, by means of the lever V, and the heel-blank and follower-block l" is thereby elevated to the interior of the die E, which die is, by the operation, slightly raised, so that its upperpart lhe operator then takes hold of the handle 9 and revolves the cylinder to the left, so as to bring the die to the position marked El. He then swings the handle back to the right, which forces in dog-l2, to hold the cylinder in position. He then places his foot upon the foot-pad T, and presses down the treadle-lever Tl, which swings back the stud S, and allows the dog 1 to engage the ratchet-wheel K, which operates the eccentric and moves down the plunger B, bringing the stamp B 'down upon the .die El, and forcing it down upon the follower-block F, thereby compressing the '1eel-blank Hl firmly into the matrix against the headplate c.

When th finger R str Il iaft C has made its revolution the stopupon the end of the stud S and raises the trip-level' P', thereby swinging back the dog I?, and stopping further motion of the shaft O and plunger B.

'lhecylinder is then revolved again, which brings the die to the position marked E2, when the plunger 13, being again started, the awls h are forced down through the openings 2 and perforate-the heel.

After the heel has been perforatedthe cylinder is revolved to bring the die to the position marked E3, when the operator places the 'nail-bolder containing the nails over the die, and drops the nails into the openings, in the manner' before explained. After removing the nail-holder the plunger B is again started, and thc drivers g descend into the openings 2 andforce the nails into the pcrforations formed by the awls h. l

The cylinder is again revolved, which carries the die to the position from whence it started, and, as the plunger descends, the discharging punch Vpresses down thc head-plate c and discharging-pin e, thereby forcing the completed heel from the die, which, together with the follower-block F, drops down upon the disk n, and is removed from thence by the hand of the operator, the operation being completed.

It will be understood that after the dies are lled,a finished heel is removed and a fresh blank is inserted as each die passes the position marked E, so that, although it requires four opera-tions to complete vthe heels, by using four dies, all of said operations are accomplished at each stroke of the plunger B and stamp B, thereby `forming the heels very rapidly.

It will be observed that the perforations are formed and the nails driven while the heels are ,under pressnre from all sides, whereby the leather of the different layers of which the heels are composed, is kept ii'om unduly expanding after the pressure has been removed, and also that the uneven edges of the lifting are pressed inward, thereby forcing all of the stock into the l1eel,so that there is no waste from trimming,rthe edges being left rm and smooth, and of the proper form, whereby they only require to be finished up, while the heels, being firmer and more solid, will wear much longer than heels made in the ordinary way.

Different sizes of dies and follower-blocks are made for the different sizes and forms of heels, and heelsof different thicknesses may be made by varying the, thickness of the follower-blocks F or head-plates c, while, by changing the length of the driver g, the nails may he driven into the heels to a greater or lesser extent.

In lieu of supporting the forming-dies ina revolving cylinder, they may be arranged in a sliding-support, and move back and forth under the stamp' B, or a single die may be used separately, but I prefer to usc them in the manner shown.

It will be understood that, by my improved press, all of the nails may be partially driven, to be subsequently driven the remaining portion of their length by another machine, which secures them to the boots or shoes, or, if preferred, only a few of the nails may `be driven, all of the holes being formed to receive the 3. The' combination, with the head-plate c and sleeve b, ofthe discharging-pin e, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. The combination, with the sleeve b and discharging-pin e, of the discharging-punch H, provided with al spring center, j; substantially as andfor the purposes set forth.

5. The combination, with discharging-pin e, of` the spring center f, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. r

6. rThe combination, in a machine forforming pressed heels for boots and slices, of the following elements, viz: a die for pressing the heel into proper form, provided with holes for the passage of the heel-peribrating awls, nails, and nail-drivers, a series of perforating awls, and a series of nail-drivers, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

7 The'combination, with die E, and follower-block F,'of the elevating'disk n, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. v

8. The combination, with the disk n and bearing t, of the slide 4, and pins 5, 4substantially as and for the purposes setV forth.

9. Tile combinatiomwith the'disk u, andreceivingtable NV, of the slide Wl, and fork W2, lsubstantial] y as and for the purposes set forth.

10. The combination, with the disk a and followerblock F, of the screw a: and fork V, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

1l. The combination, with the fork W2, of the stoppin or stud r', substantially as shown and described.

12. The combination, with the bed or table A, and cylinder D,of a forming-die E, and follower-block F, substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

13. The flanged head i ou the pint-le-bolt G, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination, with the cylinder D, of the stop dog 12 and the mechanism for rotating the cylifnder, substantially asshown and for the purposes set orth. i

15. The combination, with the table A and cylinarm O, and swinging-stud S, of the dog P, trip-lever P', spring Q, finger R, and guard-pink, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

18. lhc nail-holding device, composed of the parts 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, substantially as shown and de scribed.

19. The combination of thev arms 2O of the nailholder, with the studs 1 on the forming-dies, substantially asshowu and for the purposes stated.

20. A machine for "forming compressed heels for boots and shoes, the mechanism ot' which is constructed and arranged substantially as described, so that the heel is compressed on all sides, and held under continued pressure during the operation of perforating the heel and driving the nails, for the purposes set fprth.

HORACE H. BIGELOW.

Witnesses:

Taos. H. Donor., S. EMERSON HARTHAN. 

